Medical system, devices, and related methods

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect, a method of controlling a laser delivery control console is disclosed. The method may include receiving at the control console electronically stored information from a radio frequency identification tag associated with a medical device. The method may also include converting, using at least one processor of the control console, the electronically stored information to a plurality of operating parameter threshold values. The plurality of threshold values may include maximum frequency values and maximum energy values for laser energy supplied by the laser delivery control console to the medical device. The method may further include preventing, in response to a command to adjust the energy or frequency of laser energy applied to the medical device, the delivery of laser energy with a frequency or energy value that exceeds one or more of the threshold values.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/846,195, filed on May 10, 2019, which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to systems,devices, and methods useful in medical procedures. More specifically,the present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods foradjusting and storing operating parameters of medical devices, amongother aspects.

BACKGROUND

Laser energy is used in a wide variety of medical procedures, includingurology, neurology, otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology,gastroenterology, cardiology, and gynecology. Various procedures, andeven different portions of the same procedure, often require differentlevels and intensities of laser energy, which are delivered tocauterize, ablate, break-up, or otherwise treat tissue or other materialin a patient. Generally, a user may control and/or modify the settingsfor the laser energy output of a laser energy source by inputting oradjusting the settings of a control module through buttons, dials, or atouch screen. A laser energy source may be operatively coupled to thecontrol module and may comprise laser energy sources which operate atdifferent wavelengths, infrared or visible energy sources, a Holmiumlaser source, Carbon Dioxide laser source, Neodymium laser source, orother type of laser energy source. Depending on the user's desiredenergy and frequency levels of the laser energy source, the user mayselect one or more accessories with operating parameters that allow theuser to transmit the desired level and intensity of laser energy throughthe accessory. Accessories used to transmit laser energy, such as laserfibers, have different operating parameters in which the accessory mayfunction without being damaged by the laser energy. Typically, adatabase on the control module may store operating parameters for avariety of accessories. When a user selects a specific accessory to usein a procedure, the user may then enter a serial number associated withthat specific accessory into the control module. Using the serialnumber, the control module may access the relevant operating parametersfor that specific accessory from its internal database. Since newaccessories often come into the market, this database on the controlmodule needs to be updated frequently to include the relevant operatingparameters for each new accessory that a user may need. The need tofrequently update a control module of the laser source may complicateand/or prolong procedures. Moreover, without operating parameters for anaccessory stored in the control module, the user risks damaging theaccessory, improper accessory operation, reduced accessory efficiency,or even exposing a patient to greater risk.

The systems, devices, and methods of the current disclosure may rectifysome of the deficiencies described above, and/or address other aspectsof the prior art.

SUMMARY

Examples of the present disclosure relate to, among other things,medical systems, devices, and methods. Each of the examples disclosedherein may include one or more of the features described in connectionwith any of the other disclosed examples.

According to one aspect, a method of controlling a laser deliverycontrol console is disclosed. The method may include receiving at thecontrol console electronically stored information from a radio frequencyidentification tag associated with a medical device. The method may alsoinclude converting, using at least one processor of the control console,the electronically stored information to a plurality of operatingparameter threshold values. The plurality of threshold values mayinclude maximum frequency values and maximum energy values for laserenergy supplied by the laser delivery control console to the medicaldevice. The method may further include preventing, in response to acommand to adjust the energy or frequency of laser energy applied to themedical device, the delivery of laser energy with a frequency or energyvalue that exceeds one or more of the threshold values. The command maybe generated by an action or series of actions on a user interfaceoperably coupled to the laser delivery control console.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, the method of controlling alaser delivery control console may include one or more of the stepsand/or features below. The plurality of threshold values may form anoperating parameter matrix of the medical device. The control consolemay be configured to adjust the laser energy outputted to the medicaldevice between a finite number of laser energy characteristics, and thefinite number of laser energy characteristics may include a finitenumber of discreet frequency values and a finite number of discreetenergy values. The maximum frequency and energy values may includemaximum frequency and energy values for each of the finite number ofdiscreet frequency values and a finite number of discreet energy values.The electronically stored information may be stored in 270 bytes or lesselectronic storage space. The medical device may be a laser fiber.Converting the electronically stored information to a plurality ofthreshold values may include using the electronically stored informationto create a plurality of corner stone set point pairs defining anoperating parameter matrix. The at least one processor may include afirst data set corresponding to a matrix, the matrix may include afinite number of discreet frequency values along the matrix's horizontalaxis and a finite number of discreet energy values along the matrix'svertical axis, and the matrix may be used to convert the electronicallystored information to operating parameters for the medical device.Converting the electronically stored information to a plurality ofoperating parameter threshold values may include defining an operatingparameter matrix including a maximum energy value for each of the finitenumber of discreet frequency values and a maximum frequency value foreach of the finite number of discreet energy values. The medical devicemay be a laser fiber and the radio frequency identification tag may becoupled to a proximal end of the laser fiber.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, a method of controlling alaser delivery control console to deliver laser energy to a medicaldevice is disclosed. The method may include accessing electronicinformation from an electronic memory device coupled to the medicaldevice. The method may also include receiving at the control consoleelectronically stored information from the electronic memory. The methodmay further include converting, using at least one processor of thecontrol console, the electronically stored information to a series ofoperating parameters associated with the medical device. The pluralityof operating parameters may include maximum frequency and energy valuesfor laser energy supplied by the laser source to the medical device. Themethod may also include automatically preventing the delivery of laserenergy with a frequency or energy level that exceeds one or more of themaximum frequency and energy values.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, the method of controlling alaser delivery control console to deliver laser energy to a medicaldevice may include one or more of the steps and/or features below. Theat least one processor may include stored electronic information of auniform operating parameter matrix size, and the uniform operatingparameter matrix size may include a matrix with a first axis including afinite number of discreet frequency values and second axis including afinite number of discreet energy values. The series of operatingparameters may include a series of threshold set point pairs consistingof a discreet frequency value and a discreet energy value; and each ofthe threshold set point pairs may define the maximum frequency andenergy values. Converting the electronically stored information to aseries of operating parameters may not include accessing a database. Theelectronically stored information may include a plurality of cornerstone set point pairs defining components of an operating parametermatrix for the medical device. Automatically preventing the delivery oflaser energy with a frequency or energy level that exceeds one or moreof the maximum frequency energy values may include limiting a range ofdiscreet frequency and/or energy level settings available in the controlconsole to adjust the output of laser energy from the laser source. Theelectronically stored information may include information defininglocations within the uniform operating parameter matrix size, and thelocations may be defined by a pair of values, and the pair of values mayconsist of one discreet frequency value and one discreet energy value.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device may includea body including a proximal end and a distal end. The body may beconfigured to receive laser energy and transport laser energy to thedistal end. The medical device may also include an electronic memorydevice including representative electronic data stored on the electronicmemory device. The electronic memory device may be coupled to the body.The representative electronic data may include data related to operatingparameters including the maximum frequency and maximum energy levels oflaser energy to be received by the medical device.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, the medical device mayinclude one or more of the features below. The electronic memory devicemay be a radio frequency identification device. The electronic data mayinclude data configured to be converted by a control console into anoperating parameter matrix for the medical device. The operatingparameters may consist of maximum frequency and maximum energy levels oflaser energy to be received by the medical device. The electronic datamay consist of 5 bytes of data.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not includeonly those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus.Additionally, the term “exemplary” is used herein in the sense of“example,” rather than “ideal.” As used herein, the terms “about,”“substantially,” and “approximately,” indicate a range of values within+/−5% of a stated value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a medical system, according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary chart of operating parameters for alaser device, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method of adjusting and setting a medicalsystem, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of adjusting and setting a medicalsystem, according to further aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for applying operating parametersto a laser accessory device, according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary operating parameter matrix, according to aspectsof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure include systems, devices, and methodsto facilitate the efficacy, efficiency, and safety of laser energydelivery during medical procedures. For example, aspects of the presentdisclosure may provide a user (e.g., a physician, medical technician, orother medical service provider) with the ability to more easily adjustand set the operating parameters of laser energy to be delivered to alaser accessory, such as a laser fiber. Some aspects of the presentdisclosure may be used in performing an endoscopic, hysteroscopic, orureteroscopic procedure, such as, for example, a lithotripsy treatment,treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (“BPH”), or treating a canceroustissue.

Reference will now be made in detail to examples of the presentdisclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein to refer to therelative positions of the components of an exemplary medical device orinsertion device. When used herein, “proximal” refers to a positionrelatively closer to the exterior of the body or closer to an operatorusing the medical device or insertion device. In contrast, “distal”refers to a position relatively farther away from the operator using themedical device or insertion device, or closer to the interior of thebody.

FIG. 1 illustrates a medical system 100 that includes a laser accessorydevice 112 and a laser control console 102. Control console 102 mayinclude a graphical user interface or display 104, a control module 106,and a laser energy source 108. Control console 102 may be wireconnected, wirelessly connected, or otherwise coupled to a userinterface 110. In some examples, the user interface 110 may beincorporated into the control console 102. The medical system 100 may beconfigured to output laser energy from laser energy source 108 to alaser accessory device 112 for emission of a laser beam onto a targetarea.

Laser accessory device 112 may include one or more optical fibers todeliver laser energy (shown as arrow L) from laser energy source 108 toa distal end of the laser accessory device 112. As such, laser accessorydevice 112 may be used to deliver laser energy from laser energy source108 to a lumen, tissue, or other material within a patient. In someexamples, additional instruments or devices may be coupled to controlconsole 102, such as an endoscope or other insertion device. In someexamples, laser accessory device 112 may have a proximal end configuredto connect to control console 102 and a distal end configured to deliverlaser energy (L) to a patient's tissue.

User interface 110 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a touch screendisplay, or other electronic display. User interface 40 may display amenu with a variety of adjustable laser parameters, such as adjustablediscreet frequency and energy levels for the output of laser energy fromthe laser energy source 108. User interface 110 may include one or moreactuators, such as buttons, knobs, foot pedals, or other actuationmechanisms configured to communicate with control console 102.

Control console 102 may also include a laser accessing port (not shown)such that a laser accessory device 112, such as a laser fiber or otheroptical fiber, may be coupled to control console 102 to deliver laserenergy to laser accessory 112. In some examples, control console 102 maybe in communication with other accessory devices, such as an endoscopeor a camera. Control console may be configured to transmit laser energythrough a laser accessory device 112 to be delivered to the distal endof the laser accessory device 112. Control console 102 may be connectedto and/or in communication with a power source, such as a battery or anyother conventional power source known in the art, or the power sourcemay be incorporated into the control console 102. An optical engine (notshown) may also be connected to and/or in communication with the controlconsole 102 or incorporated into the control console 102, and theoptical engine, power supply, and laser energy source 108 may supplyenergy to a laser fiber at a specific power level and frequency level.

Control module 106 within control console 102 may include an assembly ofhardware, including a memory, a central processing unit (“CPU”), and/ora user interface (in addition to user interface 110). The memory mayinclude any type of RAM or ROM embodied in a physical storage medium,such as magnetic storage including hard disk or magnetic tape;semiconductor storage such as solid state disk (SSD) or flash memory;optical disc storage; or magneto-optical disc storage; or other types ofelectronic memory. The CPU may include one or more processors forprocessing data according to instructions stored in the memory. Thefunction of the processor may be provided by a single dedicatedprocessor or by a plurality of processors. Moreover, the processor mayinclude, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, orany other hardware capable of executing software. The user interface mayinclude any type or combination of input/output devices, such as adisplay monitor, touchscreen, keyboard, and/or mouse. The processor maybe configured to access wireless digital data, telephone, and/orInternet access through any other wireless communication medium, suchas, for example, local or wide area Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. Insome examples, the process may access a digital storage device or systemvia wireless communication, such as a cloud based storage system, toaccess information.

Laser source 108 may output a solid-state laser, continuous-wave (CW)laser, a pulsed laser, or other types of laser energy to be delivered tolaser accessory device 112. In some examples, laser source 108 mayinclude laser energy sources which operate at different wavelengths,infrared or visible light energy sources, a Holmium laser source, CarbonDioxide laser source, Neodymium laser source, or other type of laserenergy source. Control console 106 may be configured to adjust one ormore characteristics of laser source 108. For example, control console106 may be configured to adjust the frequency and/or the energy level ofthe laser energy output from laser source 108. In some examples, controlconsole 106 may have a plurality of discreet frequency (for example, inHertz) and energy (for example, in Joules) levels stored in controlmodule 106 that may be selected by a user, using the user interface 110and/or the graphical user interface 104, to adjust the laser energyoutput from laser source 108. The control module 106 may sendinstructions to user interface 110 and/or graphical user interface 104to display a specific range of discreet frequency and energy levels todisplay and to allow a user to select. When a user selects a discreetfrequency and energy level, the laser energy source 108 may output laserenergy with the selected frequency and energy levels. In some examples,which may be for a pulsed laser energy output, control console 106 mayprovide a plurality of discrete set-point settings for the laser energyoutput of laser source 108, with each set-point setting consisting of apaired discreet frequency value and discreet energy value for the laserenergy output of laser source 108.

Control console 102 may control the laser parameters supplied to laseraccessory device 112. For example, control console 102 may include atleast one processor, which may be within control module 106, whichreceives input from the graphical user interface 104 and/or the userinterface 110 and processes the input. Control console 102 may includelaser source 108, user interface 110, graphical user interface 104, andcontrol module 106, each of which may be operable coupled togetherand/or may receive electronic information from and send electronicinformation to each of the other components. For example, a user mayinput a command using the user interface 104 to output laser energy at aspecific frequency and energy level selected by the user, and theelectronic command may be received by condole module 106, processedwithin control module 106, and then a corresponding electronic commandmay be sent to laser source 108 to output laser energy at the specifiedfrequency and energy level. In some examples, a user may selectivelyadjust at least one of a laser energy, frequency, pulse width,wavelength, etc. via the user interface, such as a foot pedal assembly,keypad, mouse click, or touchscreen display, and control console 102 mayoutput laser energy having the selected parameters to laser accessorydevice 112.

In some examples, an electronic database of information related to laseraccessory devices and corresponding operating parameters may beelectronically stored within control module 106. For example, anelectronic database in control module 106 may include productidentification numbers, serial numbers, product codes, or other forms ofidentification numbers used to identify specific laser accessory devices112 and, stored in association with each identification number, may be achart of operating parameters for each device. In some examples, theoperating parameter chart for each laser accessory device may includediscreet paired frequency and energy values that correspond to discreetenergy and frequency set-point settings provided in control module 106for adjusting the output of laser energy source 108.

Depending on the type of control console 102, control module 106, andlaser energy source 108, the number of discreet frequency and energyoutput settings may be available for the control console 102 to changethe characteristics of the laser energy output from laser energy source108. In some examples, control console 102 may provide fifteen discreetfrequency values (in Hertz) that may be selected by the user. Controlconsole 102 may also, in some examples, provide eighteen discreet energyvalues (in Joules) that may be selected by the user. Each of thesediscreet frequency and energy setting values, or discreet set-pointpairs of one frequency setting value and one energy setting value, maybe described by a parameter matrix, such as matrix 200 shown in FIG. 2.

In the exemplary matrix 200, the fifteen discreet frequency settingvalues (frequency set-points) are defined as Fi (i=0 to 14), and theeighteen discreet energy setting values (energy set-points) are definedas Ej (j=0 to 17). Each discreet set-point pair may be described as anFi, Ej location on matrix 200, and may be represented as a box withinmatrix 200. The frequency setting values are shown along the horizontalaxis 202, and the energy setting values are shown along the verticalaxis 204. The cross-hatched boxes, such as box 206, designate operableenergy and frequency value set point pairs for the laser accessorydevice 112 associated with matrix 200, and the white boxes or boxeswithout cross-hatching, such as white box 208, designate energy andfrequency value set point pairs outside the laser accessory device'soperating parameters and thus may damage the laser accessory device 112,render it inoperable, or fail to operate in accordance with the device'sspecifications. Thus, matrix 200 may define the operating parameters ofa laser accessory device 112.

Each of the cross-hatched boxes shown in matrix 200 that borders atleast one white box, such as, for example, cross-hatch box 206, may bedefined as a “corner stone” set point pair. Each “corner stone” setpoint pair defines a threshold frequency value (one of F0-F14) for adiscreet energy value (one of E0-E17) that defines a limit on thefrequency operating range for that particular energy value, and athreshold energy value for a discreet frequency value that defines alimit on the energy operating range for that particular frequency. Forexample, corner stone set point pair 206 (F7, E16) in matrix 200 definesa maximum discreet energy value of E16 when the laser accessory deviceis operating at a frequency of F7, and a maximum discreet frequencyvalue of F7 when laser accessory device 112 is operating at a discreetenergy value of E16. Using matrix 200, control console 102 may definethe operating parameters for the laser accessory device 112. In someexamples, when operating a laser accessory device 112 associated withmatrix 200, control console 102 may prevent the selection and/or theoutput of laser energy with a particular energy or frequency value thatexceeds a threshold value defined by matrix 200, and thus prevent theuser from selecting a discreet set point pair outside the operatingrange defined by each “corner stone” set point pair. In this manner,matrix 200 may be used by control console 102 to define the operatingparameters for a particular laser accessory device 112. For example, anoperating parameter matrix 200 may be received by control module 106 orretrieved from a database stored within control module 106, and thecontrol module 106 may apply limitations to the user interface 110and/or the graphical user interface 104 to prevent the user fromselecting a discreet set point pair for the frequency (Fi) and energy(Ei) levels outside the operating parameters defined by matrix 200. Insome examples, the user interface 110 and/or the graphical userinterface 104 may display and allow a user to select only discreet setpoint pairs for the frequency (Fi) and energy (Ei) levels that arewithin the defined operating parameters of operating parameter matrix200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram 300 of a conventional method forapplying operating parameters to a laser accessory device 112 using acontrol console 102. In step 302, the user connects laser accessorydevice 112 to control console 102. In some examples, a proximal end oflaser accessory device 112 may be coupled to control console 102, forexample a proximal end of a laser fiber may be inserted into anaccessing port on control console 102. In step 304, the user may inputan identification number, such as a serial or product number associatedwith the connected laser accessory device 112, into control console 102using user interface 110. In step 306, control module 106 of controlconsole 102 may receive and process the identification number andretrieve an operating parameter matrix, such as matrix 200, associatedwith laser accessory device 112 stored in a database within a controlmodule 106.

Once the appropriate operating parameter matrix is retrieved, thecontrol module 106 may set the operating parameter matrix 200 as theoperating parameters for laser accessory device 112. When the operatingparameter matrix 200 is set, control module 106 may prevent laser energysource 108 from outputting laser energy with a frequency and energy setpoint pair that is outside the corner stone set point pairs in matrix200. For example, as shown in matrix 200, control module 106 would notallow the user to select a frequency of F9 with an energy level of E15because this laser parameter set pair exceeds the threshold set by eachcorner stone pair of matrix 200. Depending on the type of laseraccessory device 112, different threshold limits may be put on the laserenergy source 108 by control module 106 to limit the maximum frequencyand energy levels supplied to the laser accessory device 112. Similarly,different ranges of frequency (Fi) and energy (Ei) levels may beincluded in matrix 200 depending on the type of control console 102,laser energy source 108, and/or laser accessory device 108. Sincecontrol module 106 of control console 102 may have a limited amount ofelectronic storage to store an electronic database of laser accessorydevices and associated operating parameter matrixes, alternative methodsof storing operating parameters may allow a control module 106 tooperate with a larger amount of laser accessory devices and may avoidthe need to update databases stored within control module 106.

According to one aspect of this disclosure, operating parameters, ordata associated with operating parameters, may be stored on laseraccessory device 112. For example, laser accessory device 112 mayinclude a radio frequency identification tag (RFID) 114 coupled toand/or embedded within laser accessory device 112. The RFID 114 maycontain electronically-stored information associated with the laseraccessory device 112, such as data associated with an operatingparameter matrix for the laser accessory device 112. RFID devices 114may be low power silicon devices that can be powered and communicate viaa radiofrequency field. RFID 114 may enable wireless communication froman embedded RFID 114 chip coupled to or embedded within laser accessorydevice 112. RFID device 114 may be a non-volatile memory element forstoring electronic information. For example, RFID device 114 may includeread-only memory whose contents can be erased and reprogrammed using apulsed voltage, such as EEPROM (typically 320 to 4096 bytes), andinterface logic that handles communications. RFID 114 may be fabricatedin a small disk that can be embedded into a laser accessory device. Insome examples, a laser accessory device 112 may generate a low powerlocalized radiofrequency field that may power RFID 114 when laser energyis supplied to the laser accessory device 112. Other formats/manners ofmanufacturing RFID devices can be used without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. In some examples, electronic data may be stored onan RFID 114 coupled to laser accessory device 112, and the electronicdata may include an operating parameter matrix 200 associated with laseraccessory device 112. In other examples, laser accessory device 112 mayinclude a memory device, such as a read-only memory, that connects tocontrol console 102 via a wire connection between the memory device andthe control console, such as a wire connection that connects the memorydevice of the laser accessory device 112 with the control console 102via laser accessing port (not shown).

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram 400 of a method for applying operatingparameters to a laser accessory device 112 using a control console 102without a database of laser accessory devices and associated operatingparameters stored within control console 102. In step 402, the user mayconnect an accessory device 112 to the control console 102. In themethod of flow diagram 400, an entire operating parameter matrix 200 isstored in electronic data on an RFID 114 coupled to the laser accessorydevice 112.

In step 404, the user may scan the RFID 114 of the accessory device 112using an RFID reader to upload the electronic information stored on RFID114 to the RFID reader, and then the RFID reader may send the electronicinformation to control module 106. In some examples, an RFID reader maybe incorporated into control console 102. In other examples, RFID readermay be electronically connected to control console 102. In step 406, theelectronic information from RFID 114 is received by the control module106. Since the electronic information from RFID 114 includes the entireoperating parameter matrix 200, control module 106 may then implementoperating parameter matrix 200 and proceed to step 408. Whenimplementing operating parameter matrix 200, control module 106 maylimit the frequency and energy level settings (Fi, Ei) available for theuser to select based on operating parameter matrix 200. In step 408, thecontrol console 102 supplies laser energy to laser accessory 112 withinthe accessory's operating parameters. In some cases, the amount of datarequired to store an entire operating parameter matrix 200 may exceedthe storage space provided on an RFID 114, which would make the methodof flow diagram 400 difficult to accomplish. In order to implement themethod of flow diagram 400, RFID may need to have adequate electronicstorage space to store data associated with the entire operatingparameter matrix 200. In some cases, it may be beneficial to minimizethe amount of data stored on the RFID in order to use RFID tags withless electronic storage space.

In some examples, RFID 114 of laser accessory device 112 may storeoperating parameter matrix representation data that, once received by acontrol module 106, may be converted to an operating parameter matrix200 for the associated laser accessory device 112. For example, controlmodule 106 may include a conversion module 107 configured to convert thematrix representation data to an operating parameter matrix 200. Whenrepresentation data is stored in an RFID 114 of a laser accessory device112, control module 106 may require a conversion module 107 to convertthe representation data to an operating parameter matrix 200 for therespective laser accessory 112, and thus may avoid the need to store adatabase of laser accessories 112 and their respective operatingparameter matrixes 200. In addition, by eliminating the need for aninternal database of a plurality of laser accessory devices withincontrol console 102, a user may avoid the task of updating the laseraccessory devices database in the control console and may still use thecontrol console effectively with a new laser accessory device 112, whichmay save time and increase efficiency of procedures.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram 500 of a method for applying operatingparameters to a laser accessory device 112 using a control console 102without a database of laser accessory device identification numbers andassociated operating parameters stored within control console 102. Instep 502, the user may connect an accessory device 112 to the controlconsole 102. In step 504, the user may scan the RFID 114 of theaccessory device 112 using an RFID reader to upload the electronicinformation stored on RFID 114 to the RFID reader, and then the RFIDreader may send the electronic information to control module 106. Instep 506, the electronic information from RFID 114 is received by thecontrol module 106 in control console 102. In step 508, the controlmodule 106 may execute a conversion module 107 using the electronic datareceived from RFID 114.

Conversion module 107 may include software to convert the electronicdata from RFID 114 to an operating parameter matrix 200 associated withlaser accessory device 112. Once the conversion module 107 outputs anoperating parameter matrix 200 in step 510, control module 106 appliesthe necessary operating parameters to safely operate the laser accessory112. Accordingly, once the control module 102 receives and applies theoperating parameter matrix 200 for laser accessory device 112 fromconversion module 107, the control console 102 may supply laser energyto laser accessory 112 within the accessory's operating parameters.Storing representative electronic data that can be converted usingconversion module 107 of control module 106 may allow RFID 114 to storeless electronic data compared to storing an entire operating parametermatrix 200. The method for applying operating parameters to a laseraccessory device 112 using a control console 102 shown in flow diagram500 does not require accessing a database, such as a database of laseraccessory device identification numbers and associated operatingparameters stored within control console 102.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary operating parameter matrix 600 similarto matrix 200 of FIG. 2. In the same manner as matrix 200, fifteendiscreet frequency setting values (frequency set-points) are defined asF0-F14 along the horizontal axis 602, and the eighteen discreet energysetting values (energy set-points) are defined as E0-E17 along thevertical axis 604. Each discreet set-point pair of matrix 600 may bedescribed as an Fi, Ej location on matrix 600. The cross-hatched boxesin matrix 600 designate operable energy and frequency value set pointpairs for the laser accessory device associated with matrix 600, and thewhite boxes designate energy and frequency value set point pairs outsidethe laser accessory device's operating parameters.

In operating parameter matrix 600, cross-hatch boxes 620, 621, 622, 623,624, 625, 626, 627, 628 each border at least one white box and may bedefined as corner stone set point pairs. Each corner stone set pointpair defines a threshold frequency value that defines a limit on thefrequency (Fi) operating range for a particular energy value (Ei), and athreshold energy value (Ei) that defines a limit on the energy operatingrange for a particular frequency (Fi). For example, corner stone setpoint pair 621 is shown at matrix box (E16, F7), and indicates that at afrequency of F7 the maximum energy level is E16, and at energy level E16the maximum frequency level is F7.

When a RFID 114 or other electronic storage medium is used to store allof the data associated with matrix 600, the data may include 270 dataelements for each of the boxes within matrix 600, along with 33 dataelements for each of the discreet frequency set points F0-F14 along thehorizontal axis 602 and each of the discreet energy set points E0-E17along the vertical axis 604. As an alternative to storing dataassociated with each box of matrix 600, RFID 114 or other electronicstorage medium may store representative data that is configured to beconverted into an operating parameter matrix using a conversion module107 within control console 102.

For example, representative data stored on an RFID 114 may include onlythe parameters of the horizontal axis 602 and vertical axis 604 ofmatrix 600, i.e. discreet values E0-E17 and F0-F14, and each of thecorner stone set point pairs, i.e. discreet set point pairs 620, 621,622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, totaling 51 total data elementsconsisting of the 18 data elements for E0-E17, 15 data elements forF0-F14, and eighteen data elements for each of the nine corner stone setpoint pairs 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628. Accordingly, bystoring only data elements associated with horizontal axis 602, verticalaxis 604, and each corner stone set point pair 620, 621, 622, 623, 624,625, 626, 627, 628, a total of 51 data elements may be used to storeoperating parameter matrix 600. By using a software algorithm withinconversion module 107 of control module 106, the 18 data elements forE0-E17, fifteen data elements for F0-F14, and 18 data elements for eachof the nine corner stone set point pairs 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625,626, 627, 628 may be used to construct a complete operating parametermatrix 600 using a conversion module 107.

In some examples, a uniform operating parameter matrix size may bestored within a conversion module 107 of control console 102. Forexample, a uniform operating parameter matrix size may be a matrix witha horizontal axis 602 of 15 discreet data elements (F0-F14) and with avertical axis 604 of 18 discreet data elements (E0-E17) that may bestored within conversion module 107 of control console 102. In someexamples, control console 102 may be limited to a single set of discreetfrequency settings (Fi) and a single set of discreet energy settings(Ei) available to the user for adjusting the output of laser energysource 108, and the single operating parameter matrix size available forthat particular control console 102 may be stored within control module106. By storing a uniform operating parameter matrix size in the controlmodule 106, RFID 114 may not need to store the discreet values F0-F14associated with the horizontal axis 602 and the discreet values E0-E17associated with the vertical axis 604 of matrix 600, and thus may storeonly the information associated with each corner stone set point pair620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628. Accordingly, when a uniformoperating parameter matrix size is stored within control console 102,data elements E0-E17 and F0-F14 are predefined in the control console102 and the RFID may only store the eighteen data elements associatedwith each corner stone set point pair 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626,627, 628. In this example, the conversion module 107 may use theeighteen data elements received from RFID 114 in conjunction with theuniform operating parameter matrix size stored within the conversionmodule 107 to construct operating parameter matrix 600.

In another example where a uniform operating parameter matrix size isstored within control console 102, representative data stored on RFID114 may consist of five bytes of electronic data (or 34 total bits). Asis known in the art, a byte of data consists of an eight digit binarynumber. As shown in FIG. 6 as bytes 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, five bytesof data may be used to designate where in a uniform operating parametermatrix size of fifteen by eighteen (shown in FIG. 6) each of the cornerstone set point pairs are located within matrix 600. Note bytes 610,612, 614, 616, 618 are provided in an additional column and anadditional row of matrix 600, however this row and column containingbytes 610, 612, 614, 616, 168 is purely for illustrative purposes and isnot a part of operating parameter matrix 600. In FIG. 6, bytes 610, 612designate each discreet frequency value (Fi) along horizontal axis 602that includes a corner stone set point pair with a one (values F6-F14),and each frequency value along horizontal axis 602 that does not includea corner stone set point pair with a zero (values F0-F5). Similarly,bytes 614, 616, 618, designate each discreet energy value (Ei) alongvertical axis 604 that includes a corner stone set point pair with a one(values E3, E5, E7, and E12-E17), and each energy value along verticalaxis 604 that does not include a corner stone set point pair with a zero(values E0-E3, E4, E6, and E8-E11). Accordingly, operating parametermatrix 600 may be represented by a bitmap on 16 bits and 20 bits, orwith 5 bytes of data, when console 102 stores a uniform operatingparameter matrix size that corresponds to operating parameter matrix600. In this example, conversion module 107 may include software toconvert bytes 610, 612, 614, 616, 618 associated with the location ofeach corner stone set point pair 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627,628 into operating parameter matrix 600. Thus, for example, laseraccessory device 112 may store only bytes 610, 612, 614, 616, 618 onRFID 114.

For example, for illustrative purposes, a hypothetical control console102 includes a uniform operating parameter matrix size of fifteen byeighteen (e.g. the size of matrix 600 in FIG. 6), with the horizontalaxis representing frequency values F0-F14 and the vertical axisrepresenting energy values E0-E17. Implementing the systems and methodsdisclosed herein, an exemplary laser accessory device 112 includes anRFID 114 with five bytes of data stored on the RFID 114. Each byte ofdata corresponds to bytes 610, 612, 614, 616, 618. The first byte 610reads “000000011” and corresponds to columns F0-F6, and thus each ofcolumns F5 and F6 includes a corner stone set point pair. The secondbyte 612 reads “11111111” and corresponds to columns F7-F14, and thuseach of columns F7-F14 includes a corner stone set point pair. The thirdbyte 614 reads “11111100” and corresponds to rows E17 to E10, and thuseach of columns E17-E12 includes a corner stone set point pair. Thefourth byte 616 reads “00101010” and corresponds to rows E9-E2,respectively, and thus each of columns E7, E5, and E3 includes a cornerstone set point pair. Lastly, the fifth byte 618 reads “00000000”, ofwhich only the first two digits are used to construct matrix 600. Thus,since the first two digits of the fifth byte 618 corresponds to rows E1and E0, “00” indicates that neither row E1 nor row E0 includes a cornerstone set point pair. Then, by matching each of the marked columns fromthe first and second bytes with each of the marked rows from the third,fourth, and fifth bytes, in the order in which they occur, i.e. movingfrom F0-F14 for the first and second bytes and moving from E17 to E0 forthe third, fourth and fifth bytes, a system, such as control module 106of control console 102, can construct matrix 600 by marking each cornerstone set point pair 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628 withinthe uniform operating parameter matrix size of fifteen by eighteen. Thecontrol module 106 may then set the appropriate frequency and energythresholds for that particular laser accessory device 112 using theconstructed matrix 600.

While the above discussion is directed to specific methods for storingoperating parameter matrixes related to laser delivery devices, thepresent disclosure is not so limited. For example, matrixes 200 and 600are only exemplary, and the above-described methods may be applied tooperating parameter matrixes of any size. In some examples, theoperating parameters stored on laser accessory device 112 may includepower source output values indicating an operable range or value ofpower to be supplied to laser accessory device 112.

While principles of the present disclosure are described herein withreference to illustrative examples for particular applications, itshould be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Thosehaving ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings providedherein will recognize additional modifications, applications,embodiments, and substitution of equivalents all fall within the scopeof the features described herein. Accordingly, the claimed features arenot to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.

We claim:
 1. A method of controlling a laser delivery control console,comprising: receiving at the control console electronically storedinformation from a radio frequency identification tag associated with amedical device; converting, using at least one processor of the controlconsole, the electronically stored information to a plurality ofoperating parameter threshold values; wherein the plurality of thresholdvalues include maximum frequency values and maximum energy values forlaser energy supplied by the laser delivery control console to themedical device; and preventing, in response to a command to adjust theenergy or frequency of laser energy applied to the medical device, thedelivery of laser energy with a frequency or energy value that exceedsone or more of the threshold values, wherein the command is generated byan action or series of actions on a user interface operably coupled tothe laser delivery control console.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of threshold values form an operating parameter matrix ofthe medical device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlconsole is configured to adjust the laser energy outputted to themedical device between a finite number of laser energy characteristics,wherein the finite number of laser energy characteristics include afinite number of discreet frequency values and a finite number ofdiscreet energy values.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the maximumfrequency and energy values include maximum frequency and energy valuesfor each of the finite number of discreet frequency values and a finitenumber of discreet energy values.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theelectronically stored information is stored in 270 bytes or lesselectronic storage space.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the medicaldevice is a laser fiber.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein convertingthe electronically stored information to a plurality of threshold valuesincludes using the electronically stored information to create aplurality of corner stone set point pairs defining an operatingparameter matrix.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor includes a first data set corresponding to a matrix, whereinthe matrix includes a finite number of discreet frequency values alongthe matrix's horizontal axis and a finite number of discreet energyvalues along the matrix's vertical axis, wherein the matrix is used toconvert the electronically stored information to operating parametersfor the medical device.
 9. The method of claim 3, wherein converting theelectronically stored information to a plurality of operating parameterthreshold values includes defining an operating parameter matrixincluding a maximum energy value for each of the finite number ofdiscreet frequency values and a maximum frequency value for each of thefinite number of discreet energy values.
 10. A method of controlling alaser delivery control console to deliver laser energy to a medicaldevice, comprising: accessing electronic information from an electronicmemory device coupled to the medical device; receiving at the controlconsole electronically stored information from the electronic memory;converting, using at least one processor of the control console, theelectronically stored information to a series of operating parametersassociated with the medical device; wherein the plurality of operatingparameters include maximum frequency and energy values for laser energysupplied by the laser source to the medical device; and automaticallypreventing the delivery of laser energy with a frequency or energy levelthat exceeds one or more of the maximum frequency and energy values. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein: the at least one processor includesstored electronic information of a uniform operating parameter matrixsize, and the uniform operating parameter matrix size includes a matrixwith a first axis including a finite number of discreet frequency valuesand second axis including a finite number of discreet energy values; theseries of operating parameters include a series of threshold set pointpairs consisting of a discreet frequency value and a discreet energyvalue; and each of the threshold set point pairs define the maximumfrequency and energy values.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereinconverting the electronically stored information to a series ofoperating parameters does not include accessing a database.
 13. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the electronically stored informationincludes a plurality of corner stone set point pairs defining componentsof an operating parameter matrix for the medical device.
 14. The methodof claim 10, wherein automatically preventing the delivery of laserenergy with a frequency or energy level that exceeds one or more of themaximum frequency energy values includes limiting a range of discreetfrequency and/or energy level settings available in the control consoleto adjust the output of laser energy from the laser source.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the electronically stored informationincludes information defining locations within the uniform operatingparameter matrix size; and wherein the locations are defined by a pairof values, and wherein the pair of values consists of one discreetfrequency value and one discreet energy value.
 16. A medical devicecomprising: a body including a proximal end and a distal end, whereinthe body is configured to receive laser energy and transport laserenergy to the distal end; an electronic memory device includingrepresentative electronic data stored on the electronic memory device,wherein the electronic memory device is coupled to the body; wherein therepresentative electronic data includes data related to operatingparameters including the maximum frequency and maximum energy levels oflaser energy to be received by the medical device
 17. The medical deviceof claim 16, wherein the electronic memory device is a radio frequencyidentification device.
 18. The medical device of claim 16, wherein theelectronic data includes data configured to be converted by a controlconsole into an operating parameter matrix for the medical device. 19.The medical device of claim 16, wherein the operating parameters consistof maximum frequency and maximum energy levels of laser energy to bereceived by the medical device.
 20. The medical device of claim 16,wherein the electronic data consists of 5 bytes of data.